Conducting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts in Your Community: Count Manager Training. MnDOT and MDH Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative 2015

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1 Conducting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts in Your Community: Count Manager Training MnDOT and MDH Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative 2015

2 Objectives 1. Understand what the Bike/Ped Count Program is. 2. Learn how to conduct manual counts. 3. Recognize the responsibility of a count manager. 4. Appreciate how the data can be used.

3 Overview

4 The MnDOT Bike and Ped Counting Research Project Initiative to encourage communities to count nonmotorized traffic - bicyclists and pedestrians Information, training, and technical support for new local counting bike and ped programs Guidance for annual field counts Support for pilot automated counting projects Central repository for count data

5 MnDOT Strategic Direction 2050 Vision Minnesota Go: to support multi-modal systems Complete Streets: to understand vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian interactions Toward Zero Deaths: to assess exposure and effectiveness of safety programs Performance measures: to assess progress towards state s transportation goals Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian System Plans

6 Based on Other Successful Programs Aligns with MnDOT motor vehicle count program Builds on experience of Minnesota communities, DOT initiatives in CO & WA, and the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Demonstration Project Consistent with FHWA protocols in new Traffic Monitoring Guide

7 MnDOT reasons for counting Bicycling and walking are important modes of transportation Few bike and ped traffic counts available Traffic counts needed to Plan complete transportation systems Invest resources in facilities and maintenance operations more efficiently Assess effectiveness of safety interventions

8 MDH interest in counting Aligns with health improvement efforts Provides SHIP grantees with TA Establishes baseline for community evaluation efforts Leverages resources and partnerships

9 Local Collaboration Key to Success Local governments and nonprofit organizations have pioneered local counting bike/ped programs Local governments are mostly responsible for roads with most bike and ped traffic

10 Conducting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts: Volunteer Training Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting Initiative

11 Recommended Annual Dates September 15, 16, 17, 2015 (Tu, Wed, Th) Peak hour: 4:00 p.m. 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. 12-hour day: 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. September 19 (Sat) Peak hours: 10:00 a.m. noon or 2:00 p.m. 12 hour day: 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Rain dates: Sept. 22, 23, 24, 26

12 How to Use MnDOT Counting Form Complete all of the fields on both sides of this form. Count all bicyclists and pedestrians crossing your screen line under the appropriate categories. Make only one tally mark for each person. Count for two hours in 15 minute increments. Count bicyclists who ride on the sidewalk. Count the number of people on the bicycle (i.e., bicyclists), not the number of bicycles. Pedestrians include all people not on bicycles. Record pedestrians in wheelchairs, on skates, on scooters, etc. in Pedestrians Assisted columns. Do your best when traffic volumes are high or people talk to you; it is easy to lost count. Do your best, but note if you lose track. If traffic volumes are high count bicycle and pedestrian totals and disregard other attributes.

13 Screenline Counts Screenline counts: Imaginary line perpendicular to street Count all persons on bike or feet who cross screenline within street right-of-way Count both directions Use consistent location for observation

14 How to Use MnDOT Counting Form

15 Conducting the count Two-hour counts (4:00-6:00 pm) Start on time (arrive early!) Include name, date & Location with ID *Make a note of any unusual thing that impacted the count at the bottom of the sheet or in space on back. See instructions on form

16 Recording Bikes and Peds Every person (bicyclist or pedestrian) is always counted. Other attributes also may be tallied, including gender, direction of travel, or use of helmet, depending on purpose.

on foot or assisted: joggers, skaters, segways, wheel chairs,

17 Defining bikes and walkers Bicycles all pedal powered vehicles: tandems, recumbents, 3 wheelers, tag-alongs, trailers Walkers people on foot or assisted: joggers, skaters, segways, wheel chairs, strollers, crutches, scooters, children being carried, person walking a bicycle

18 Example of Count Tallies

19 Example 1 One male bicyclist

20 Example 2 One using assistive device (wheelcha ir) Two female pedestrians I I Image from PBIC Image Library

21 Example 3 One male bicyclist I

22 Example 4 Two children Four pedestrians: Three female; One male Two Assist II I I Image from PBIC Image Library

23 Example 5 Two cyclists: One male; One female Also a child Image from Alta Planning National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project Examples courtesy of Alta Planning National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project I I

24 Example 6 Two female bicyclists; One child Four pedestrians One male; Three female I I I III Image from PBIC Image Library

25 Example 7 Two bicyclists: One male; One female 5 male pedestrians; Two on assistive devices (in-line skates) I III II I Image from PBIC Image Library

26 Example 8 Image from Alta Planning National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project Five bicyclists: Three male; Two female; Three - children Count each person not each bike! Examples courtesy of Alta Planning National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project I II I I

27 What to Take on Day of Count Instructions Location maps Count forms Clipboards Pens, pencils, and spares Watch, phone, or timepiece Public information sheet Safety vest Optional: hat, sunscreen, jacket, folding chair

28 How to Interact with Public Counter must Maintain focus on counting Explain politely what he or she is doing and reasons for count Note if count interrupted Provide person interrupting with print information about count (see example)

29 Public Information Sheet for Counters Bicyclist and Pedestrian Counting Program We are participating in a project to study bicyclist and pedestrian traffic volumes for our community. For more information, you may contact [INSERT CONTACT NAME, NUMBER AND ]. I will be happy to answer your questions if possible, but I must keep focused on counting to ensure our counts are as accurate as possible. Thank you for your interest in our program.

30 Work Zone Safety Considerations Your counting locations represents a transportation work zone Safety is your primary concern; do not take risks Wear safety vest or high visibility colors Do not interfere with traffic flow Contact count manager if questions arise

31 After your shift Return count form and other materials to: (FILL IN YOUR INFORMATION HERE)

32 Thank You Your contact info here

33 Managing a Count Program Count Manager Role Selecting Count locations Recruit, Train and Schedule volunteers Conduct Counts Report Counts

34 Steps to starting a count program Steps in Starting a Bike & Ped Counting Program Aug Sept Oct 1. Consider the 5 W s and an H X 2. Consult stakeholders and determine purpose X 3. Confirm partnerships X 4. Select locations and create maps X 5. Recruit and train volunteers X X 6. Conduct counts X 7. Report results to MnDOT X X 8. Evaluate experience and plan next count X

35 Consider the 5 W s and an H A. Why count in my community? B. Who will do the counts? C. Where will the counts be taken? D. What information will be collected? E. When will the counts be taken? F. How will the counts be taken?

36 A. Why count in my community? Document bike and ped traffic on particular streets Evaluate use of bicycle lanes, sidewalks, trails, and other facilities Assess programs like Safe Routes to Schools Implement Complete Streets policies Evaluate State Health Improvement Plan strategies Other - consult stakeholders

37 B. Who will perform the counts? Local Count Manager will lead count Employees or volunteers will perform counts People and partners depend on purpose Public works for traffic signaling Planning department for evidence for plans Parks & recreation for measuring trail use Public Health for active living evaluations Nonprofits and advocates for documenting need

38 C. Where will the counts be taken? Locations where you need information Arterials, collector, or local streets (mid-block) Sidewalks (mid-block) Bicycle or pedestrian facilities such as multi-use trails (shared-use paths) Intersections (more complex) Downtown near businesses Near schools, parks, and other important destinations

39 Factors in Choice of Count Locations Counts taken at location previously Existing or proposed bike or ped facilities Number of crashes or collisions Presence of transit options Stakeholder interest in location Land use mix Accessibility and safety for counters

40 Goal is to Count at Multiple Locations Many counts needed to understand variation in traffic over space and time Resource limitations prevent random or representative samples of entire community Strive for many locations (> 3 initially) Examples Met Council counts trail users at > 500 sites Minneapolis DPW count annually at > 250 locations

Trail U of M Transitway, east of 29 th Ave

41 Trail U of M Transitway, east of 29 th Ave SE N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Screenline revised for 2011 moved from 25 th, as 29 th is now the bike route from 27 th Ave. Count bicycles as riding on the transitway or on the sidepath (sidewalk riding)

42 Location 9: Hennepin Ave bridge N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Screen line is south of the stairway to W River Pkwy at the foot of the bridge

43 Location 15: 26 th Ave N, east of Penn - Bike Boulevard N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Screen line has been revised to be consistent with 2009 and 2010 counts just east of gas station driveway.

44 Location 6: Riverside Ave, over I-94 - Bridge N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Observation from mound on NE side of the intersection, screen line is the bridge. CLOSED 2011

45 Location 26: Franklin Ave Bridge N Counter location Screen line NOTES:

Observe from north of RR tracks DO NOT COUNT KENILWORTH

46 Location 39: Cedar Lake Trail, west of Kenilworth Trail (w of I-394) N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Observe from north of RR tracks DO NOT COUNT KENILWORTH TRAIL Coordinate with other Cedar Lake Trail counts Loc 40, 43 and 70

47 Location 149: Bryant Ave, north of Lake Street - Bike Boulevard N Counter location Screen line NOTES: Not Annual Benchmark Monthly count location only

48 Location 541: Summit Ave, east of Western Ave - Bike Lane N Counter location Screen line NOTES:

49 Count location details Test conducting a count Create map for volunteer Note the count location on the form Consider using GPS coordinates

50 Get Permission Property owner Law Enforcement City our county others

51 D. What information will be collected? Required data (screenline counts) Number of bicyclists past point Number of pedestrians past point Optional data: attributes, behaviors, based on goals Direction Gender Relative age Use of helmet

52 E. Recommended Annual Dates September 15, 16, 17, 2015 (Tu, Wed, Th) Peak hour: 4:00 p.m. 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. 12-hour day: 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. September 19 (Sat) Peak hours: 10:00 a.m. noon or 2:00 p.m. 12 hour day: 7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Rain dates: Sept. 22, 23, 24, 26

53 E. Other dates Peak periods and hours for biking or walking Spring or fall; school in session Both weekdays and weekends Good weather conditions At least annually, over many years

54 E. When will the counts be taken? Weekdays (essential) Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (consistent patterns) Peak hours (varies by mode; essential) Bikes: 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Peds: Noon 1:00 p.m.; 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. 12 hour days (7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.) Weekend days 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m, depending on location 12 hour days (7:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.)

55 F. How will the counts be taken? Count managers will train staff and volunteers Staff and volunteers will record bicycle and pedestrian traffic in field on MnDOT standard counting forms Count managers will collect, record, and report counts for community

56 What to do if bad weather or emergency If bad weather hard rain, thunderstorms and lightning, or tornado warnings or watches stop count, note time on form, and go to safe place; report to manager as soon as possible. If emergency, call 911 as appropriate, and contact count manager as soon as possible. Document emergency on forms.

57 How to Report Results Counter Give completed forms with tallies to count manager Count manager Collect completed forms from each counter Open the PDF form and fill in all the information from the volunteers tally sheet Click on the Submit button in the upper right corner or the PDF to

58 Online MnDOT Counting Form

60 Check list of Count Manager Tasks Coordinate with local partners Choose and inspect counting locations Determine where counter will be located Determine number of volunteer counters needed Determine counting schedule Create packet of information for counters Train counters Provide and collect essential forms Notify public safety officials and responsible agencies Check weather and traffic conditions Ensure counts done correctly Share data with local partners

61 Example Counting Schedule Wed Wed Wed Wed Sat Site 1 (reference) Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 (reference) 7:00 a.m. X X 8:00 a.m. X X 9:00 a.m. X X 10:00 a.m. X X 11:00 a.m. X X 12:00 noon X X 1:00 p.m. X X 2:00 p.m. X X 3:00 p.m. X X 4:00 p.m. X X 5:00 p.m. X X X X X 6:00 p.m. X X X X X

62 Packing list for day of counts Instructions Location maps Count forms Clipboards Pens, pencils, and spares Watch, phone, or timepiece Public information sheet Safety vest Optional: hat, sunscreen, jacket, folding chair

63 Additional Resources MnDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Collection Manual and additional information can be found at:

64 Community Programs The Fargo-Moorhead Metro, Bike Walk Twin Cities (a program of Transit for Livable Communities), The City of Minneapolis, The City of St. Paul, The City of Calgary in Alberta Canada, and Portland, Oregon

65 Questions? For more information contact: Lisa Austin or Acknowledgements: Transit for Livable Communities; Bike Walk Twin Cities

Conducting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts: Volunteer Training

Conducting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts: Volunteer Training MnDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting nitiative Recommended Annual Dates September 9, 10, 11, 2014 (Tu, Wed, Th) Peak hour: 4:00 p.m. 6:00 or